Bangkok, 31 July 2024
The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) successfully concluded a two-day workshop titled “Strengthening Phytosanitary Compliance and Public-Private Partnerships to Boost Seed Trade in the Asia-Pacific Region.” The event saw active participation from 32 representatives of the seed industry, agricultural departments, and National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) from across the region, including Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Representatives from India and New Zealand joined virtually.
In his opening remarks at the inauguration of the workshop, Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director of APAARI, provided insights into the status of ePhyto adoption implementation across various Asia-Pacific countries. He emphasized the need for strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance trade between countries, creating a win-win situation for both exporters and importers.
The workshop, part of an ongoing project funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), aimed to strengthen phytosanitary compliance and enhance public-private partnerships to facilitate seamless seed trade in the Asia-Pacific. Participants shared and discussed export/import phytosanitary guidelines, leveraging this platform for mutual learning and collaboration.
In the ever-evolving landscape of global trade, the Import/Export Phytosanitary Certification Process Workshop highlighted the crucial role of standardized measures in safeguarding agricultural ecosystems and facilitating international commerce. By adhering to the guidelines set forth in ISPM 7 and related standards, national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) can ensure that exported plant products meet stringent phytosanitary requirements, thereby enhancing trade opportunities, improving pest management practices, and contributing to economic growth. “As we navigate the complexities of global trade, this workshop serves as a vital resource for addressing the challenges and optimizing the effectiveness of phytosanitary certification systems,” stated Dr. Rose Souza Richards, Phytosanitary Affairs Manager at the International Seed Federation (ISF).
Ms. Phoungeun from the Department of Agriculture in Laos emphasized the value of such workshops in understanding international phytosanitary regulations. Discussions also focused on the challenges in obtaining Phytosanitary Certification, particularly common issues faced by exporters and importers on both national and international levels. Representatives from NPPOs shared insights into the current certification processes and national regulations.
Dr. Manisha Negi, Regulatory Affairs Manager at East-West Seed India, noted, “The workshop was very informative for me in terms of what revisions will be there in-country regulations for plant quarantine and revisions in the pest list. Also, from the workshop, we could understand the export and reexport conditions and the Phyto issuance process for the countries. I could exchange information with NPPOs, which is very useful for us from an industry point of view.”
A key objective of the project is to ensure that seed exchanges between countries are free from plant health problems, aligning phytosanitary measures with international norms. Strengthening public-private partnerships is also crucial for ensuring food security by providing high-quality seeds. Md. Motaher Hussain, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture in Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of harmonizing phytosanitary guidelines to facilitate easier seed export and import among participating nations.
Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of Crop Life Asia, addressing participants virtually, emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure that farmers have access to the best seeds that can adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The workshop delved into Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) lists, implementation of international standards such as ISPM 38, and building capacity for the adoption of electronic phytosanitary certificates through the IPPC ePhyto solution.
Dr. Ravi Khetarpal added that harmonization of phytosanitary measures among member countries is essential and delved into understanding the meaning of harmonization and challenges to do so in the proper perspective as countries are in diverse levels of their phytosanitary regulatory measures.
Krishna Adhikari from the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre in Nepal reiterated the need for closer public-private partnerships to design policies that can remove specific trade barriers. The event concluded with Ms. Charlotte Pushparajan presenting New Zealand’s successful public-private partnership model, where NPPOs and private companies collaborate to facilitate seed trade. This model was suggested for adoption.
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About the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)
APAARI is a membership-based, apolitical, multi-stakeholder, and intergovernmental regional organization that catalyzes collective action to improve agri-food research and innovation systems toward a more sustainable Asia-Pacific region.
About the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)
The STDF is a global partnership facilitating safe and inclusive trade in developing countries by enhancing their capacity to meet international food safety, and animal and plant health standards.
Contact Information
For more details about the project see here and about the workshop outcomes and future initiatives, please contact:
Dr. Shivendra Bajaj, Project Manager, s.bajaj@apaari.org
